The point being made in my post is that everyone has a certain degree of prejidice in them. Sorry you missed that. The biggest problem here is that you and others like to sit on your high stoops and condem for sins you your self commit.

Okay. List my sins.

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Sometimes in order to accomplish this words like "People" and "Oriental" are ridiculously converted to derogatory terms. As golfpal said, we don't know what to say anymore. We no longer know which way to turn for fear of stepping in dog doodoo. Its not just Rob Ford that steps in it. Most recently, bob Runciman. And instead of digging in to Rob Fords past, lets look in to the past of any public person that has been accused of racial slurs. And there will be many many more. Because there are those that keep setting up the booby traps in hopes of snaring another unwary sould that dares to speak publicly. I can see future public speaking engagements by politicians as being, hosted by a team of lawyers up on the latest whims of political correctness to advice them of anything they say.

If someone makes one comment because they slipped, didn't understand the nature of a word, etc., that's one thing. Rob Ford is a repeat offender. I can't imagine he didn't know "gino" was offensive. I can't imagine he didn't think there was something offensive about screaming "get a job" to homeless people. I can't imagine he didn't know someone would take being called "waste of skin" in a bad way.

What are his redeeming qualities, exactly? That he calls city hall to account but doesn't think he himself should be called to account when he sidesteps policy on filing receipts? Hey, he raises a fuss about waste at city hall, and that's a good thing. I'm not going to argue that. But that seems to be the only thing he's got going for him. He seems to have a lot more bad qualities than good qualities.

Note that I didn't compare it to the "N" word. There is another word that would be comparable. "Oriental" would be more equivalent to calling someone of African descent "coloured", if that helps.

See how complicated it becomes by all this hair splitting. Its not just racial bigotry. You have to make different levels of it.

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Originally Posted by Golden Bear

Now, why are people getting so wrapped up on one thing? The Rob Ford apologists are trying to sidestep the multiple incidents in which the blowhard has been way off base. He's got a history of insensitive comments, a history of objectionable behaviour, and now people are pretending no one on earth considers "Oriental" offensive.

I've addressed my opinions on all aspects of the Rob Ford subject. It seems the thread has evolved in to this a little deeper. It wouldn't be the first time a thread has evolved like this.

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Originally Posted by Golden Bear

You're defending Rob Ford against his own words and actions. I can't imagine why anyone would be comfortable with that. He's a buffoon.

I'm not defending Rob Ford. I'm simply addressing the the way alot of people like to convict before all evidence is present or the way some elitist like to accuse of things they most likely are no better for. As for Rob Ford being a buffon. Everyones a buffoon to someone.

If someone makes one comment because they slipped, didn't understand the nature of a word, etc., that's one thing. Rob Ford is a repeat offender. I can't imagine he didn't know "gino" was offensive. I can't imagine he didn't think there was something offensive about screaming "get a job" to homeless people. I can't imagine he didn't know someone would take being called "waste of skin" in a bad way.

What are his redeeming qualities, exactly? That he calls city hall to account but doesn't think he himself should be called to account when he sidesteps policy on filing receipts? Hey, he raises a fuss about waste at city hall, and that's a good thing. I'm not going to argue that. But that seems to be the only thing he's got going for him. He seems to have a lot more bad qualities than good qualities.

Yeah, yeah we've been over all that. Rob Ford is a bad guy with no redeeming qualities according to you. If them other polititcians weren't so dam smart we could out them all.

I'm not defending Rob Ford. I'm simply addressing the the way alot of people like to convict before all evidence is present

Has anyone here said he's guilty? I don't think so. I've said he may or may not be guilty. I've said it's unlikely either he or his wife is completely without fault, but I haven't said "he beat his wife". Frankly, given that he's got custody of the kids, it's likely that the folks at Children's Aid think he was far from the guiltiest party here, but I'm sure there was some physical altercation, since some reports say his wife was injured.

In the process, we've talked about a lot of controversy in Ford's past, and while we can debate the intent of things like "the Orientals are taking over", we can't debate other charged comments he has made, which have been outlined here. He's been insensitive or outright insulting to AIDs sufferers, the homeless, and Italians. He's been tossed from a public arena for drunken conduct (which he then lied about, I should add). And his redeeming quality is that he waited until Sideshow Mel was no longer mayor before complaining about excesses at City Hall. I don't see a heck of a lot to like about this man.

Has anyone here said he's guilty? I don't think so. I've said he may or may not be guilty. I've said it's unlikely either he or his wife is completely without fault, but I haven't said "he beat his wife". Frankly, given that he's got custody of the kids, it's likely that the folks at Children's Aid think he was far from the guiltiest party here, but I'm sure there was some physical altercation, since some reports say his wife was injured.

In the process, we've talked about a lot of controversy in Ford's past, and while we can debate the intent of things like "the Orientals are taking over", we can't debate other charged comments he has made, which have been outlined here. He's been insensitive or outright insulting to AIDs sufferers, the homeless, and Italians. He's been tossed from a public arena for drunken conduct (which he then lied about, I should add). And his redeeming quality is that he waited until Sideshow Mel was no longer mayor before complaining about excesses at City Hall. I don't see a heck of a lot to like about this man.

With your obvious disdain for Rob Ford and your repeated negative comments towards Mel Lastman lead me to assume you've been taken in by the Mayor Miller camp.
Wasn't Mel the longest serving Mayor. He'd maybe even still be mayor if he didn't retire.
I don't know for sure but maybe such council abuses didn't happen when Mel was mayor. And that might be why Rob Ford didn't complain.

With your obvious disdain for Rob Ford and your repeated negative comments towards Mel Lastman lead me to assume you've been taken in by the Mayor Miller camp.

Why? Why does one necessitate the other? Can you dislike Mel and Rob Ford without liking Miller? I believe I've been negative about Miller many times on this board. For what it's worth, I'm a moderate and unlikely to be taken in by a Lastman or a Miller. I'm more likely to support a Red Tory or a true Liberal. In other words, I've got no one to vote for these days. That oughta explain my bitterness!

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Wasn't Mel the longest serving Mayor. He'd maybe even still be mayor if he didn't retire.
I don't know for sure but maybe such council abuses didn't happen when Mel was mayor. And that might be why Rob Ford didn't complain.

People were more focussed on Mel's sideshows like the overblown Millenium celebrations and the silly (now, mercifully defunct) Celebrate Toronto Street Festival that clogged traffic and attracted few people. But as for Ford, he's a neoconservative, a buddy of Jim Flaherty, and his attacks are clearly motivated more by the political leanings of the current mayor then they are a real concern for misspending.

Why? Why does one necessitate the other? Can you dislike Mel and Rob Ford without liking Miller? I believe I've been negative about Miller many times on this board. For what it's worth, I'm a moderate and unlikely to be taken in by a Lastman or a Miller. I'm more likely to support a Red Tory or a true Liberal. In other words, I've got no one to vote for these days. That oughta explain my bitterness!

Oh for gawd sakes, lighten up. Is your computer unable to display icons? I have a grinny one there if you aren't able to see it.

Oh yeah?!?! And just what does "you people" mean, bucko!!! You want to see some balls getting smashed, you know where to look, pal.

<Disclaimer: This message is laced with irony for the amusement of the poster and his fellow posters. It is not to be taken as a genuine threat, a statement of ill will, or anything that might be bad. It should not be construed as offensive to pals, to buckos, or to people. At the sound of the tone, the time will be 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight time. Beep.>

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Originally Posted by guitarman

Oh for gawd sakes, lighten up.

That's an unreasonable request. However, I will cheer up. I'm afraid I'm unable to produce light today, however. That's simply not a realistic ability for a human.

Oh yeah?!?! And just what does "you people" mean, bucko!!! You want to see some balls getting smashed, you know where to look, pal.

<Disclaimer: This message is laced with irony for the amusement of the poster and his fellow posters. It is not to be taken as a genuine threat, a statement of ill will, or anything that might be bad. It should not be construed as offensive to pals, to buckos, or to people. At the sound of the tone, the time will be 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight time. Beep.>

Oh yeah? You are a tough guy now? You wanna go outside? I will 'patrick roy' you and then take picture of you when you tee off.

Better yet, Jack Nicklaus is nothing but a second tier average golfer.

I have "Asian" friends who PREFER to be called "Oreintal" because they are Chinese, and don't like the term "Asian" because ASIA includes anyone from any part of the Continent of Asia, which they feel doesn't 'represent' their culture!

I have "Asian" friends who PREFER to be called "Oreintal" because they are Chinese, and don't like the term "Asian" because ASIA includes anyone from any part of the Continent of Asia, which they feel doesn't 'represent' their culture!

Here's my take on it. I am NOT impressed with Rob Ford on a personal basis. It appears he may have an anger and/or alchol issue. He at least has poor common sense. When you are employed in the public sector it is a good idea not to get drunk and shoot off your mouth at a public event, like a Leaf game. It is also not a good idea to have your personal domestic issues turn into public knowledge.

As a politician I applaud him. He isn't afraid to speak his mind and confirm what many people think in that there are a lot of politicians out there who don't treat the tax money with very much respect and are only concerned with their budgets and how much they will get.

A government in theory should really be a "non-profit" business and any extra money should be invested back into the country. If you are able to use less than your budget you should be REWARDED, not penalized, which is what happens now because the next years budget will be less compared to what you got in the current year. That is not a formula to encourage less usage!!

Ford obviously has personal issues he needs to address, which he should. I would also like to hear and see both side of the story before passing judgement on his wifes allegations.

As usual the bad press is expressed by everyone and when the guy is exonorated and charges dropped no one comments. Not saying hes totally innoncent but worth mentioning charges were bogus.

Of course presumed guilty and when he is found not guilty no one cares or changes their opinion. HE is as close to an honest politician as you can get. Why do you think he ruffles so many feathers? Because all the other politicians like their perks of spending tax dollars anyway they see fit. Ford at least recognizes the tax money doesn't grow on trees!!.

It was also stated that he and his wife are in councelling.

As I have said I don't condone his actions on a personal basis, but maybe us tax payers would have a few more dollars in our pockets if we had more politicians like Rob Ford.